Homeowners will often refinance their mortgages to obtain a lower interest rate. The Dallas Independent School District took the concept to a new level, netting $29 million in savings by refinancing two sets of bonds. On Jan. 8, the district refinanced bonds issued in 2006 and 2008 worth more than $234 million that were issued at a higher interest rate. Due to Dallas ISD’s district’s strong credit rating and increasing financial strength, the refinancing resulted in a lower interest cost that resulted in gross savings of $41 million and net present value savings of $29 million, or 12.1 percent in…

Plans to open schools of choice next August appear to have the support of trustees who received a briefing on the effort Thursday. The report recapped the results of a school choice survey, revealed that 46 school teams have applied to offer choice programs, and identified five schools that are on track to launch personalized learning curriculums next school year. Overall, trustees reacted favorably to the progress report that indicated broad public interest in expanding choice options. An ongoing interest survey has drawn nearly 4,000 responses reflecting a desire for a variety of choice programs. Trustees expressed personal preferences for…

The Dallas Independent School District is forming a task force aimed at enhancing steps the district is currently taking to close the achievement gap for African-American students. Board of Trustees First Vice President Lew Blackburn will lead a group that will review progress made under the district’s African-American Success Initiative and explore ways to improve its outcomes. The task force announcement was made as part of a presentation on the initiative during today’s monthly Board Briefing. “I look forward to exploring ways to improve academic achievement for our African-American students,” said Dr. Blackburn. “It is incumbent upon all of us,…